The world's fastest full-memory consecutive shooting* and high image quality with fine gradations 5 megapixel compact digital camera incorporating the new image processor, RTUNE

(This document was translated from the Japanese press release.)

August 8,2003: Kyocera Corporation (President: Yasuo Nishiguchi) is announcing the release of the Kyocera Finecam S5R compact digital camera, with 5 million effective pixels. The camera provides high-speed, full-memory consecutive shooting at approximately 3 frames per second, and features high image quality thanks to the new image processor, RTUNE.

Even though the Kyocera Finecam S5R is a high-pixel compact digital camera with 5 million effective pixels, it provides full-memory, consecutive shooting at approximately 3 frames per second. The liquid crystal monitor follows images during the consecutive shooting, so you can take images while viewing them on the monitor.

The camera also is loaded with a full range of functions, such as a maximum 11x zoom (consisting of an optical 3x zoom lens and a digital 3.7x zoom), a continuous AF that responds to a moving subject, a scene mode that enables you to adjust photographic settings easily according to six scenes, such as a sport scene with fast movement, and a function for recording moving images in VGA size with audio.

The new compact digital camera has both a high-speed drive that does not let you miss a photo opportunity and high-quality image reproduction with fine gradations, so you can enjoy the full freedom of photography.

* Compared to other compact digital cameras as of July 1, 2003
* Full-memory consecutive shooting means shooting successively until the full capacity of the memory card is used. It is available when using an SD memory card with a recording speed of at least 10MB per second for high-speed recording

Main features of the Finecam S5R

1. High-Speed, High-Quality Photography Thanks to the New Image Processor, RTUNE
   The world's fastest full-memory consecutive shooting*1
   The Finecam S5R provides the combined features of full-memory successive shooting at approximately 3 frames/second and the high pixel value of 5 million effective pixels. Furthermore, the liquid crystal monitor follows to display images in real time during consecutive shooting, so you can take photographs naturally.

   If it is difficult to photograph subjects, such as pets or children with fleeting expressions or moving subjects at an athletics meet, taking consecutive photographs enables you to select the best shots afterward. This is one of the great features that digital cameras have over conventional cameras.

   * Compared to other compact digital cameras as of July 1, 2003
   * Full-memory consecutive shooting means shooting successively until the full capacity of the memory card is used. It is available when using an SD memory card with a recording speed of at least 10MB per second for high-speed recording

   Image with a fine array of gradations
   Generally, the level of each RGB color in a photographed image was controlled by adjusting the white balance after converting analog image information from CCD to a digital signal. However, this method required compensating an uneven signal level for each RGB color at the analog stage with the digital signal, so if the signal level of a dark shade is not sufficient, the method resulted in poor image quality, such as tonal jumps.
   RTUNE, the new image processor that has been incorporated in the Finecam S5R, adjusts the output level for each RGB color at the analog signal stage before it is converted into a digital signal, then it converts it into a digital signal to provide fine digital gradations that faithfully reproduce the original image.

   Reduction in color noise due to 16-bit A/D calculations
   A/D conversion of analog image information into digital signals is performed with accuracy of 16 bits internally and output as 12 bits. Since the detailed resolution reduces color noise, which tends to occur in a single color or in a dark section of the image, it faithfully reproduces subtle darkness and lightness as well as shade and shadows of color.

2. A High-Resolution, Optical 3x Zoom Lens Providing a Maximum Zoom of 11x when Used with the Newly Developed Digital Zoom
   The camera incorporates a high-resolution optical 3x zoom lens, which provides a projected resolution of at least 200 lines/mm at the center of the image from a focal length of 7.3 mm (wide-angle) to 21.9 mm (telephoto). These focal lengths correspond to approximately 35 mm to 105 mm for 35-mm cameras. The lens combines a compact size and high performance through the technologies developed by the optical maker, using a special low-dispersion glass and four aspheric lenses. This lens provides high-quality images comparable in quality to those produced by conventional film when shooting landscapes, ceremonies and portraits.

   By combining the optical 3x zoom with the newly developed digital 3.7x zoom that minimizes the deterioration of images, you can photograph at a maximum of 11x zoom. You can also use a digital zoom up to 8x when playing back images.

3. A Scene Mode that Can Create Photographic Settings Easily According to the Situation
   The camera incorporates a scene mode that enables the camera to make the most suitable photographic setting according to the situation, based on six predefined settings. They are: Standard, Sport, Night View, Night View Portrait, Macro and Distant View. Each of the settings can be easily selected using the scene button.

4. The Macro Mode that Enables Close-Ups at Approximately 12cm
   Setting at macro mode in the scene mode allows you to photograph the subject from a minimum of approximately 12 cm from the front of the lens (in both the telephoto and wide-angle modes). In the telephoto mode, you can fill the image area with a subject measuring just 3.4 cm x 4.5 cm, allowing you to enjoy a very high level of detail.

5. Continuous AF that Allows You to Seize the Moment and a High-Speed Drive that Does Not Let You Miss an Opportunity
   The camera incorporates a continuous AF that follows a moving subject, so it keeps it in focus while the camera remains turned on. The shutter delay time has been improved to 0.07 seconds*, which is as fast as that of general, conventional film based single-lens reflex cameras.
   * The time from half pressing the shutter to completely pressing it to start the exposure

6. A Moving Image Recording Function with VGA Audio, which Can Be Viewed on a TV
   The camera enables you to easily shoot moving images with audio at 30 frames/second up to the maximum capacity of the memory card. The record file is in AVI format and you can play it back easily on the liquid crystal monitor of the camera, a television or a personal computer. (To play back your movies on a personal computer, it is necessary to install QuickTime 4.1 or later.) When it is connected to a television, you can view fine, smoothly moving images in VGA/30fps on the entire television screen.

7. A Function for Setting a Customized Start Screen Consisting of our Favorite Image
   The camera incorporates a function for setting a customized start screen that allows you to set a photographed image for camera's start screen. The image appears whenever you turn on the power. So if you use a photo of yourself, your family or your pet, you can enjoy the digital camera in other ways than taking photos.

8. A Function to Resize Your Photos for Easy Handling
   It is possible to reduce the size of an image to 320 x 240 pixels or 160 x 120 pixels after it has been taken, and store it so that it can be handled by a portable terminal such as a PDA or via e-mail. You can select the new size of the photos from three options, whole image, quarter area and one-sixteenth area. You select the size using the selection button provided in the shape of a cross.

   Using this function in combination with a PDA that incorporates an SD memory card slot allows you to easily create an image size suitable for the liquid crystal screen of the PDA.

9. Day Fine Liquid Crystal Monitor - A TFD Color Liquid Crystal Monitor that is Easy to See even in Bright Conditions
   Liquid crystal monitors were difficult to see outdoors in fine weather. To eliminate this weakness, the camera incorporates the Day Fine Liquid Crystal Monitor, a 1.6" TFD color liquid crystal monitor, which is bright and easy to see irrespective of the ambient lighting conditions. In addition to the conventional backlight system, this liquid crystal controls the diffusion and absorption of light entering from the outside as much as possible through the use of a special optical film and exclusive light transmission board inside the camera. The liquid crystal reflects the light efficiently so that it becomes possible to view the screen easily.
10. Easy-to-Use Interface
    The liquid crystal monitor on the back of the camera graphically displays the information and settings for taking photographs and playing them back. You can set a range of modes through the selection buttons and the execute button provided in the shape of a cross while viewing the liquid crystal monitor. These functions together with the hierarchical menu make the camera intuitive and easy to understand.
11. Interface with a Personal Computer
    The camera is provided with a USB cable that is useful for uploading large volumes of image data to a personal computer. As this cable complies with the USB mass storage class, images can be read at high speed on a personal computer and displayed easily, as with a hard disk. You can use this function by inserting the USB cable directly without installing any drivers, unless you are using Windows 98, 98SE or Mac OS 8.6.

Additional Information

Using the Finecam S5R with a personal computer

Windows requirements:
OS: Preinstalled with Microsoft Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Home Edition or Professional. Performance is not guaranteed if these operating systems are upgraded. 64MB memory or more, USB terminal and CD-ROM drive.

Macintosh requirements:
OS: Preinstalled with MacOS9.0 to 9.2 or OS X v.10.2 (excluding the OS X server). Performance is not guaranteed if these operating systems are upgraded. USB terminal and CD-ROM drive.

* All prices in this press release exclude consumption tax.
* Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
* QuickTime, Macintosh and MacOS are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. in the United States.
* Other company names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.